Pediatric Snowboarding-Related Concussions and Musculoskeletal Injuries Decreased From 2012 to 2022

To analyze mechanisms, diagnoses, and incidence of youth snowboarding-related injuries presenting to US emergency departments.

Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System were analyzed for pediatric snowboarding injuries (≤18 years old) from 2012 to 2022. Data were collected for mechanism of injury, diagnosis, location of injury, and disposition. National estimates (NEs) were calculated using the statistical sample weight of the corresponding hospital assigned by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Linear regressions were used to analyze injuries over time.

In total, 3,036 (NEs = 120,140) pediatric snowboarding injuries were included in this study. Average age was 14.0 ± 2.7 years. The most common mechanism of injury was impact with the ground (NEs = 97,120, 80.8%). The most injured body parts were 719 wrists (NEs = 115,505, 96.1%), 580 heads (NEs = 22,258, 18.5%), and 381 shoulders (NEs = 17,269, 14.4%). The most common diagnoses were fractures (NEs = 48,886, 40.7%), strains/sprains (NEs = 22,948, 19.1%), and concussions (NEs = 12,553, 10.4%). Fractures primarily involved the wrist (NEs = 18,122, 37.1%), lower arm (NEs = 12,348, 25.3%), and shoulder (NEs = 9,073, 18.6%). From 2012 to 2022, there were average decreases of 1,051 overall injuries per year (P < .01), 299 fractures per year (P = .04), 298 strains/sprains per year (P < .01), and 143 concussions per year (P < .01). There were average decreases of 784 impact with ground injuries per year (P < .01), 161 not specified injuries per year (P < .01), and 42 impact with inanimate object injuries per year (P = .03) from 2012 to 2022.

Pediatric snowboarding injuries demonstrated a large decline from 2012 to 2022. Fractures are the most common diagnosis, primarily affecting the wrist and shoulder. The head was the second most injured body part, and concussions were the third most common diagnosis.

This study highlights decreasing injuries despite growing popularity of snowboarding, bringing to light the importance of protective equipment, on-site injury management, and implementation of clinics at resort bases.